The University of North Carolina Wilmington reports that it is in line with the state’s mandate for all North Carolina agencies, including colleges and universities, to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent before July 2010.

“As a university, we’ve done well in reducing our energy consumption and costs,” said Tom Freshwater, physical plant director for UNC Wilmington in a press release. “We’ve cut our energy costs by almost one-third over the past six years, which is a significant savings in both energy and dollars.”

The university saved more than $2 million this year. In fiscal year 2009, the university’s utility bill was $6.5 million.

UNCW reduced energy consumption through temperature setbacks on nights, weekends, and holidays. They installed energy-efficient heat pumps in resident halls and upgraded or repaired HVAC systems in Kenan Auditorium and several lecture halls on the main campus. As a result, UNCW has reduced its energy consumption by 11 percent in 2009.

An improved irrigation system and the installation of low flow sinks and showers enabled the university to reduce its water consumption by 14 percent in 2009.

The Senate bill 668 mandates all state agencies to reduce their energy consumption by 30 percent by 2015.